How do the individual NAWQA study areas fit into a national design?
Each of the studies in the 51 major river basins and aquifers systems throughout the 10-year period of analysis followed a nationally consistent approach and used uniform methods of sampling and analysis. Water-quality conditions in a specific locality or watershed can be compared to those in other geographic regions and at different periods of time. Collectively, the assessments advance an understanding of the quality of our Nation’s waters and whether water quality is getting better or worse over time. Information at different scales helps to bridge local, State, regional, and national efforts to manage the Nation’s water resources.
